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In Gary Gibbon’s blog for Channel 4 News, he tells us “why Harlow is the sort of place Labour is in retreat. Some of his answers, and those of the public, were:

– “Quite a lot of Poundland shops around, classic of the sort of seats Labour doesn’t seem to be able to win back”

– “A bigger than average working class vote, once the typical profile of a Labour seat”

– “I thought the Labour Party was for the working man, but no longer”

– “At least they [the Conservatives] stick to their values”

– “Ever since Tony Blair’s landslide victory in ’97, Labour’s share of the skilled working class vote has been in decline”

– “Once known as Baby Town the young population in Harlow is now ageing”

As a young Labour member, I can tell you now that he’s pretty much right. Once the party of the trade unions, Labour is now seen as the party of the ‘scroungers’.

In Harlow you have a Conservative MP who, whilst he has an appalling voting record including against equal marriage, is out in the community every single day. It seems those who lose the election forget about the town for the 54 months following.

In my honest opinion all parties, including Labour, need to stop ‘importing’ candidates. Find someone who is from the town they’re running in and support them. All too many times I have heard: “next time they’ll put him/her in a safer seat”. If a party deems none of it’s local residents to be good enough, then frankly you shouldn’t be putting a candidate forward for that town.

Harlow is not a wealthy place. There are a high number of people on benefits, not enough social housing to go around and a dying town centre. Combine this with a smart current MP and a ‘white van PR scheme’ and, well, you get the drift…

As a very new member who is 25 and female, I went to my first meeting last month and walked into a sea of middle-aged white people. I could count on one hand the number of people under the age of 30.

But why is that?

At this meeting a very talented Emma Toal was elected as Deputy Leader – she is pretty much the same age as me. At this point a middle-aged white man (SHOCK!) behind me pipes up “Oh rubbish!! What? She’s too young!” This came from a Labour MEMBER. Fair enough, you don’t agree with the decision and you voted for your other half. But quite frankly “too young” is not a valid argument.

No-one said anything to this man after. It was not addressed.

You have a party who is failing, on a national level, to engage young voters. How can Labour hope to solve this problem if they cannot even support their own young people within the party. Whilst I support the Labour party and their policies, I do not support the attitudes of a minority within it. However, I also suspect that this is the same with the majority of parties.

If Labour is to change the way that young people vote and engage with them, then quite frankly they need to start from within their own party. I say that as a member and as a young person.

During the post-count speeches, candidates expressed their thoughts on the result – excluding of course the TUSC candidate, Dave Brown, and the English Democrat candidate, Eddy Butler, who didn’t show up for the count.

Robert Halfon (Conservatives) said: “I will do my utmost to make sure the Conservatives are the party of the workers this term.”

With much gusto, Suzy Stride (Labour) said: “I have loved being a Labour party candidate here in Harlow. We are the party of social justice. We will keep fighting and walk with our heads held high.”

Geoff Seeff, (Lib Debs) who seemed to be avoiding the microphone at all costs, said: “I am proud of the role my party played in this government.”

Murray Sackwild (Greens) expressed words that many Labour voters were thinking: “We will keep on pushing. We will be watching your voting record Robert Halfon.”

Euthanasia has long been a heavily debated taboo topic, but how often do we hear what our local politicians think of the subject?

In the first political hustings debate Conservative candidate Robert Halfon, who is standing for a second term, said: “I believe that we are making very dangerous moves in our country towards legalised suicide and I am passionately against it. If there is one thing that would ever make me want to leave this country it is if we introduced euthanasia.”

In light of this, I thought it best to get a response from each of the seven candidates running for Harlow in the General Election.

The term euthanasia can be taken two ways. The first being assisted suicide, the second being to terminate the life of another. In this instance I will be referring to assisted suicide.

Murray Sackwild – Green: “In my opinion it’s a personal choice. If one makes a considered judgement that one’s quality of life is so poor and there is no chance of improvement, as long as one is not pressured by relatives, I believe that the state should not block a person from terminating their own existence and should offer facilities to support this.”

Eddy Butler – English Democrats: “I would not leave the country if euthanasia were legalised. I think this is not so much about suicide as assisted suicide. I am in two minds about assisted suicide. If legalised it could be open to abuse. But one can see compassionate grounds to sanction it also.”

Geoff Seeff – Lib Dems: If a person is fully compos mentis has made a properly validated living will that his or her life should be terminated in certain specific circumstances in order that they die with dignity, that would meet my criteria for freedom to choose. We have all seen relatives and friends suffer over an extended terminal illness and it is not what I would want for myself.”

Dave Brown – TUSC: “TUSC is a left wing alliance and there is no one ‘Party line’ on ethical issues such as euthanasia. In Government we would therefore submit to the majority after seeking their opinions. I believe that the best people to consult and respect in this area would be the individual suffering, their family and medical professionals.”

Suzy Stride – Labour: “I do not believe a bill has been before parliament that has provided re-assurance against the considerable risks involved with passing legislation that would legalise euthanasia. We have to be very careful that we do not end up with a situation where vulnerable people such as the elderly think that they are becoming a burden to their loved ones or to society and feel a form of pressure into euthanasia.”

Harlow UKIP spokesperson: “UKIP’s core principle is personal liberty and therefore this would be thought of as a conscience issue and not something that could be imposed by the party on it’s members. Any changes in the law in this area would have to be on a free vote or a referendum”

Robert Halfon clarified his stance by referring to a Commons debate in March 2012, when he said: “My worry is that whatever the intention of some, this [assisted suicide] will ratchet towards euthanasia. I feel that we need to move the focus of the discussion away from assisted dying and towards quality of life.”

Euthanasia is now legal in several countries: Netherlands, five US States, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. France also allows doctors to decide to “limit or stop any treatment that is not useful or has no other object than to artificially prolong life.”

All seven candidates standing for Harlow in the General Election have given their thoughts on this complex and often difficult issue. How will you vote now?

You will all know by now, hopefully, that the General Election 2015 falls on Thursday 7 May. Harlow has been classed by UK Polling Report as a “semi-marginal seat” – currently represented by Conservative MP Robert Halfon.

Here are a list of the SEVEN candidates for Harlow in the General Election next month, in alphabetical order…

Dave Brown: Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Dave says: I am 54 and was born and raised in Harlow but now live in Epping. I have always worked in youth and community services, have also been a gardener and am currently working with adults with autism.
TUSC has been in existence since 2010, we are a coalition of workers, anti cuts campaigners, trade union members and Socialists who stand candidates in County council and Parliamentary elections.
I believe that it is time that ordinary people are listened to and that our needs take priority over rampant greed. Our coalition stands for: Nationalise the railway, public services and utilities – Scrap the bedroom tax – £10 hour living wage now – Public ownership of banks – NHS not for profit – Protect our environment – Protect the welfare state – No to Trident – Build council housing – Free education from nursery to university.

Pros:
– Can’t fault those policies
– Born and raised in the areaCons:
– Where’s all that money going to come from? Eddy Butler: English Democrats
Eddy Says: I work as a researcher and have lived in Loughton for about ten years.
The main difference about the EDs is that we support the creation of an English Parliament. Otherwise quite similar to UKIP.
I would oppose moves to build more houses and make Harlow bigger – as I oppose building on the Green belt and making conditions overcrowded with too much pressure on infrastructure. I support innovation and extra emphasis placed on research and development.
As MP I would speak out on these issues – and warn of the creeping danger of Islamic extremism.
I would start by speaking our without fear of party whips and be an independent voice for Harlow. If elected everyone would hear about Harlow the next day.

Pros:
– Seems to be fearless when it comes to whips
– Not afraid to say to what he thinksCons:
– Says they are similar to UKIP
– Was also a member of BNP and National Front
– Likes to blame things on immigrants

Murray Sackwild: Green Party
Murray Says: I’m 55 and have lived nearby in Ware and Hertford for for 14 years.
I worked at Mark Hall for 13 years and am currently Supply Teaching, mostly at Passmores Academy. I’ve also been General Secretary of Harlow and Epping Forest NUT for 8 years.
The issues Harlow faces are: Real jobs, real pay, support for PAH, local accountability of local schools, pressured small businesses, cost of local transport and protecting Harlow’s green spaces.
Green policies are an alternative policy to other parties who promote the same neoliberal pro-austerity agenda.
I would vote according to the wishes/needs of the people of Harlow – rather than being made to vote according to party whips and start with the promotion of Harlow. Build on Robert Halfon’s work here – but without all the nasty Tory stuff.

Pros:
– Seems to have genuine good intentions for Harlow
– Works with NUTCons:
– Doesn’t live in Harlow

Geoff Seeff: Liberal Democrats
Geoff Says: I’m 67, live in Woodford, and work as a chartered accountant and management accountant. I have stood in several elections since 1982.
I think the Lib Dems are expected to do much better than the recent polls would indicate and I would like to see a renewal of the coalition government. I don’t think the Lib Dems will take power by themselves.
Harlow citizens deserve a choice and my colleagues in the local party feel that my experience offers something better.
Clearly the A&E department at the Princess Alexandra Hospital is facing problems but I would be pressing for the use of additional NHS funding to be directed towards preventative programmes that keep people out of hospital.
I know 9, mostly primary, schools in Harlow have access to a counselling service but I would like every school to have access to an in house counselling team.
To start with as MP I would get to know the organisations active in the constituency better.

Pros:
-Clearly been involved in politics for decades

Cons:
– His connection to Harlow is: “All Essex and East of England Liberal Democrats share information”
– Doesn’t believe his own party is capable of winning the election independently

Robert Halfon: Conservatives
Rob Says: Over the last five years I have run a number of high-profile campaigns, including Petrol Promise, which called on Government to lower fuel duty and cut petrol and diesel costs.
I work hard within the community, supporting local charities and businesses, and have held regular MP Advice Surgeries to help residents.
Whenever we have faced problems in our town, whether it be illegal encampments or the possible closure of our respite centres, I have stood up against the authorities.

Sam Stopplecamp: UKIP
Sam says: I am 42 and have lived in Harlow for 6 years and run a local community transport scheme.
I have been a member of UKIP for 3 years and we are different from other parties because we have common sense. I am standing to give the people of Harlow a true choice.
Harlow faces issues like: growth, good jobs and cost of the government.
As MP for Harlow I would bring stability and security for the future and start with an EU referendum.

Pros:
– Lives in HarlowCons:
– Not much to say for himself
– Missed out a few prominent issues that Harlow faces

Suzy Stride: Labour

Suzy says: I’m 33 and like most of the candidates I wasn’t born here, I grew up in the East End and now live in Old Harlow.
I work for a charity that works with unemployed young people, upskilling them and helping them find work.
I campaigned for Labour in the 1997 elections, I was 15 at that point, I formally joined the party in my late teens.
Labour is the only party that can deliver social justice and build a better country for working people.
If elected as MP I’d put all my energy into fighting for a better deal for Harlow. I’d push forward the projects we really need for the future; regeneration of the town centre, investment in the NHS and schools, an extra junction for the M11 and improvements to the local bus system. I’d bring something different to the role.
One of my first acts would be to vote through measures to increase the numbers of doctors and nurses in our local NHS, I’d also scrap the bedroom tax and increase access to GPs in Harlow. I would start in earnest to provide more facilities for young people and I’d work with Harlow Council on plans to regenerate the town.

Pros:
– Lives locally in Old Harlow
– Works with young people
– Identifies and prioritises genuine local concernsCons:
– Has a really stroppy Labour party councillor from St Albans replying to her emails
– Seems to be quite hard to get hold of

Jekyll and Hyde, the play, is described by Sell a Door theatre company as a reinterpreted modern adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s cult classic novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The adaption is written by Jo Clifford, formerly John Clifford, who is a performer, teacher and well-respected playwright of around 80 plays.

Traditionally Jekyll and Hyde tells the story of one man split in two – respectable Dr. Jekyll transformed into the inexplicably cruel Mr. Hyde. This modern adaption is no different.

Dr. Jekyll is a high-profile cancer specialist close to a major breakthrough, with primal urges that he tries to fight. During his research, Jekyll creates an unintentional strain of a drug that has the capability to alter his personality and appearance, turning him into the abhorrent Mr. Hyde as he experiments on himself.

The play uses only 3 actors and an overused revolving stage that they turn themselves. The stage is dimly lit and eerily misty from the moment we take our seats.

Perhaps the most shocking element of the play is the vivid descriptions from Mr. Hyde, who loves to “hear the crunching of bones” as he stamps on his victims – men, women and children.

Nathan Ives-Moiba is an actor-come-contortionist, transforming himself from Jekyll to Hyde rather brilliantly by using his well-sculpted body as the most powerful prop – hunching, twisting and manipulating his way through some gruelling acts as Hyde. So much so that the steampunk accessories were out of place and unnecessary, much like the constant undressing and re-dressing.

Understated and smooth actor Lyle Barke, plays London lawyer and Jekyll’s long-suffering friend, Utterson. Though I found his relationship with Jekyll was annoyingly ambiguous.

Rowena Lennon is convincing and brilliant as Dr. Lanyon and Jekyll’s servant, though somewhat stretched in a multitude of other roles. As a servant she plays a victim of abuse, which Jekyll loves as it “keeps their esteem low”.

Jekyll’s desires are ultimately always the same as Hyde’s. The only thing that Jekyll wants is to distinguish between the two and split his conscience so that he can revel in evil without guilt. Much like Freud’s description of the human psyche – can the ego keep both the id and the superego in a state of equilibrium?

I won’t spoil the ending, but I think it’s safe to say that question is answered.

Jekyll and Hyde is coming to the end of the tour now, with the last performance on 27 March. For more info and tickets click here.